National Driller articles from September 2008

National Driller archives from September 2008

NDA convention.(For Openers: News and Notes at Press Time)
September 1, 2008... The 2008 annual convention of the National Drilling Association is scheduled for Oct. 8-10 at the Cherry Valley Lodge in Newark, Ohio, about a 25-minute drive from the Columbus airport. Cherry Valley is the only hotel in the nation that's also...

Removing pharmaceuticals from wastewater.(For Openers: News and Notes at Press Time)
September 1, 2008... BlueInGreen, an Arkansas-based company that provides systems for dissolved-gas treatment of water systems, recently announced a two-year, $750,000 grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a division of the National...

Family fun at jubilee.(For Openers: News and Notes at Press Time)
September 1, 2008... A good time was had by all who convened for the recent South Atlantic Well Drillers Jubilee. This enthusiastic bunch from Champion Water Systems, Lanett, Ala., are seen enjoying their time on the trade show floor. Look for a complete show...

Educational opportunities this month.(For Openers: News and Notes at Press Time)
September 1, 2008... The National Ground Water Association is presenting several short courses M September. Those tasked with remediation and site cleanup will have the opportunity to increase their knowledge at two seminars taking place in Costa Mesa, Calif....

American ground water trust events.(For Openers: News and Notes at Press Time)
September 1, 2008... Promoting ground water information, awareness and education since 1986, the American Ground Water Trust presents the following informative programs in the upcoming weeks: * Sept. 15--"Water Well Performance: The Economic Basis for...

Holocene tackles subsurface investigation: drilling contractor uses track-mounted all-terrain vehicle on Washington's Nisqually River.
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Holocene Drilling Inc., Tacoma, Wash., recently completed a boring project for Tacoma Rail's Mountain Division at a crossing on the...

Setting and plumbing a pressure tank: the fundamentals of pumped water systems.(Tech Topics)
September 1, 2008... This month's article focuses on the portion of submersible water system between the wellhead and the house. To put things in perspective, let's think about what needs to happen in this area to make the system work. We'll need a pipe to get...

Dealing with difficult employees: "uh, I don't know how to say this, but you stink!".(Smart Business)
September 1, 2008... Most of you know your way around a toolbox very well. If you didn't, you'd be doing something else for a living. At some point, though, you likely are to find yourself in a predicament they don't teach in trade schools or apprenticeship...

Boart Longyear buys Westrod Engineering.(BULLETIN BOARD)
September 1, 2008... Boart Longyear Ltd. has announced that it has acquired Westrod Engineering, an Australian-based manufacturer of reverse circulation (RC) rods, subs and swivels for minerals drilling. The acquisition expands Boart Longyear's existing...

McDermott Distributes for Grundfos pumps.(BULLETIN BOARD)
September 1, 2008... The A.I. McDermott Co. of Oshkosh, Wis., has announced that it has been appointed the authorized stocking Grundfos Pumps submersible motor distributor for Wisconsin. McDermott has stocked Grundfos' MS4000 4-inch large submersible motor...

Senate approves Great Lakes compact.(BULLETIN BOARD)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Senate has voted to ratify a compact to prevent the diversion of water from the Great Lakes, quickly approving legislation sought by the region's governors worried that thirsty places would covet one of the...

Griffiths handles wind farm drilling.
September 1, 2008... Project West Wind is a wind farm development just off Oteranga Bay in New Zealand. Located the southern tip of New Zealand's Northern Island, the wind farm--to be the largest in the country when it comes on line next year--will be able to power...

Coming events.(Calendar)
September 1, 2008... SEPTEMBER 7-10 WateReuse Symposium Dallas 703-548-0880 www.watereuse.org 8-12 Wyo-Ben Inc. Mud School Billings, Mont. 800-548-7055 www.wyoben.com 9-10 ...

Electrical safety at the worksite.
September 1, 2008... A water well drilling site is full of potential hazards. Most common among these hazards is electricity, which according to the Census of fatal Occupational Injuries program, was the cause for 21 fatalities among water well drillers in a recent...

Lightning strikes.
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the United States, an estimated 93 people die each year from being struck by lightning. Lightning strikes cause more deaths than most other natural disasters, such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Since water well...

Roller cone underreamers.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Recommended for soft-to hard-rock formations, the Mills Machine roller cone underreamer enlarges the borehole below the casing. It primarily is used to provide clearance for running casing, to obtain adequate annular...

Hammer and bit combinations.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new CR hammer series from Center Rock Inc. features a valveless design intended to improve drilling performance under a variety of conditions. These hammers boast a reengineered, high-frequency air cycle for...

DTH Hammer.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... Mincon Rockdrills offers the Mincon XP60. This DTH hammer features a locking mechanism that allows for an increased bore without sacrificing wear limits or increasing the hammer's outside diameter. The design also eliminates the need for...

Button bits for all rock conditions.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... Sandvik's new series of RT300 button bits are said to offer higher productivity and improved wear under a variety of rock conditions. The RT300 line functions in almost all rock conditions, especially where button breakage is a problem....

Hammer series.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Eastern Drillers Co.'s EDM-Drill Series of hammers are interchangeable with the former Sandvik Mission's Silverdril Series. Available in 4-, 5-, 5-HD-, 6-, 6-HD-, 6SE-, 6SE-HD-, 8-, 8ST-HD-, 10- and 12-inch sizes,...

Used hammer bits.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bit Brokers International is offering used hammer bits in good condition, with hundreds in stock. The company features many 12- and 8-gauge diamond button hammer bits. Sizes range from 5 7/8 inches to 6 inches, with...

For exploration and mining.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Atlas Copco's reverse circulation (RC) hammers are specifically designed for both deep-hole exploration drilling and in-pit grade control applications. Engineered for high penetration rates, the new Secoroc RC 50...

Automatic hydraulic hammer system.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... The DDI automatic SPT hammer system hydraulically lifts a 140-pound drive weight and completely releases the weight for a 30-inch free fall. The drive weight does not have a cable or rope attached that may impede its fall. The hammer is...

Simplified hammer design.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... The NUMA Patriot 125/125HD Down Hole Hammer utilizes a simplified hammer design wither fewer internal components. It drills at a high frequency to provide less vibration and smooth operation. Designed to operate at pressures up to 250 psi, this...

Fixed-cutter Bits.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Torquato Drilling Accessories' Silver Bullet PDC bits are designed for fast penetration in limestone, sandstone, dolomite and shale. These fixed-cutter drilling bits shear away rock, allowing operation at faster...

Inventory of bits in stock.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] America West Drilling Supply Inc. holds a large inventory of bits in all sizes and different applications. The company stocks DTH bits and Symmetrix, and is a distributor for Atlas Copco hammers and bits. It also...

Drill bits offered.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... KS Bit Inc., a supplier of drilling bits for the water well, mining, oil, geothermal, environmental, construction, exploration and blast hole industries, carries more than 15,000 tricone drill bits, with new, surplus, reruns and retips in...

High performance DTH hammer.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rockmore International introduces the newest generation ROK hammer--a DTH hammer using SonicFlow technology. This new technology was developed to increase airflow efficiency within the ROK hammer, and ensure that the...

DTH hammers and bits.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Top Drill specializes in DTH hammers and bits. The DTH hammers shown here are the company's newest. Developed for higher productivity, these hammers feature a new airflow design for faster penetration rates, a new...

Casing hammers.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... Atlas Manufacturing Ltd. designs and manufactures the Atlas hydraulic casing hammers, with several models from which to choose. All models offer the ability to be used with several sizes of pipe without purchasing driver adapters. Atlas hammers...

Green reverse-circulation hammer.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The RC5 from Terex Halco is a reverse-circulation hammer engineered for improved performance and capabilities. With a goal of reducing its carbon footprint through its exploration and, mining operations, Terex Halco...

DTH bits available.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DTH bits from Rock Hog Drilling Products Inc. are manufactured in all popular head sizes and shank styles. These DTH bits are said to fit and work in nearly all the DTH hammers on the market today. Face or gauge...

DTH hammers and bits.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Drill King International offers DTH hammers and bits to suit all applications. DTH hammers are available in sizes from 2 inches to 30 inches in diameter, while DTH drill bits are available in a number of different...

For percussion drilling.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... Smith Percussion, a subsidiary of Smith Technologies, provides solutions for percussion drilling applications. The fully diamond enhanced Impax bits and the diamond-in-gauge-row (DIGR) bits offer extended run life with high rates of...

Hammer bits.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hutchen's Bit Service manufactures down-the-hole hammer hits--new or used, rebuilt or rerun. The company also provides hole openers, hammers, back reamers, tricones drill bits and more. Hutchen's Bit Service, Card...

For micropiling and foundation jobs.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lone Star Drill Bits introduces the J-Drive Sacrificial Bit for micropiling and foundation construction applications. This bit is used for applications where simultaneous drilling and grouting is desired, available...

Blade system.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Palmer Bit Co.'s replaceable blade system is designed for versatility to provide drillers options when drilling different formations. The company stocks step-type and chevron styles from 3 7/8 inches to 6 1/4 inches...

Replaceable blade bits.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Blue Demon Co. offers replaceable blade bits. Comprised of a connector, reaming stabilizer, locking bowl, bit shank and bit blades, the replaceable blade system is designed for simple assembly and change out. Blue...

Deep-hole hammer range.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... Bulroc's new hammers are designed to operate efficiently and overcome high heads of water in the hole. The combined control tube, diverter and check valve minimize the number of components, reducing the overall length of the hammer for ease of...

Core bit for deep-hole applications.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: HAMMERS & BITS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fordia's Vulcan 16mm is a specialty core bit meant to perform in deep-hole applications. Successfully tested in various ground conditions, this bit is developed to deliver high productivity, particularly during heavy...

Miller utilizes sonic technology.(On the Job)
September 1, 2008... Miller Drilling Co., Lawrenceburg, Tenn., provided the sonic capability and expertise to drill and install borings for piezometers and inclinometers at the Saluda Dam in South Carolina. The firm drilled through rip rap, crushed stone, soils and...

Your staff is key in a bad economy.
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A recent National Federation of Independent Businesses survey paints a picture of some very stressed-out small business owners. Small business' earnings are at their lowest point since 1992, and nine in 10 owners...

About your air compressor ...
September 1, 2008... I recently had the opportunity to speak with Clint Welch, a prominent member of the sales team at America West Drilling Supply, and the conversation quickly turned to air compressors. America West is headquartered in Sparks, Nev., and has...

Geothermal on a grand scale: Simmons Drilling aggressively takes on geothermal drilling projects.(Project Profile)
September 1, 2008... R.A. Simmons Drilling Co., of Buchanan, Va., has turned geothermal drilling into a specialty. The company operates 30 rigs, working in Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina, and does all types of drilling, including quarrying, water wells,...

CGI/EPA water treatment database.(BULLETIN BOARD)
September 1, 2008... CGI Federal Inc. has partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) to develop a comprehensive drinking water treatability database (TDB). The database will be a publicly accessible Web...

Well gravel pack.(Porky's Hole Thoughts)
September 1, 2008... Prior to the 1970s, most shallow wells in South Georgia were bored wells lined with 18- to 24-inch terra cotta (clay sewer pipe). Most of these wells didn't exceed 30 feet to 35 feet in depth. The annulus was packed at the bottom with coarse...

In the know about [H.sub.2]O.(Drilling Fluids)
September 1, 2008... Typing this article, I already can hear some of you saying, "oh, dear god--not another soda ash and water article!" I could not agree with you more. There have been many articles written about treating the water we use to mix our drilling...

Drill here, drill now, pay less.(The World According to Wayne)
September 1, 2008... Imagine you are a farmer in a simpler time. You raise your crop, feed your family and your mule, and save some seed for next year's crop. In those days of less complicated lives, it was common to help neighbors in trouble--barn-raising,...